Page 23 of The Fadeaway
His exasperation makes me smile. My saying no has never seemed to bother him before. Not really. Not like this. And there’s something seriously sexy about a man speaking in another language.
“But,” I say quietly, and his head snaps up and something that looks like hope flashes across his face. “I have a project I’m working on that I could use your help.”
“A school project?”
“A play I’m writing. It’s set in Mexico.”
“Ah.” He seems to consider that. “I could help you during our date.”
That seems unlikely, but maybe I can barter. I mean, honestly, a date with Joel in exchange for help with the play that might make the difference on job applications next year is hardly an unfair trade. And worst case, it’ll be the most entertaining night of my life. Of that, I have no doubt.
“I’ll make you a deal. If you help me, then I’ll go out with you.Onedate.”
“Done,” he answers without hesitation. “Pick you up tonight at seven?”
“Oh, uh, tonight’s not good for me.” Oh God, am I really doing this? Once I go out with him, the fantasy will be gone and there’ll be no going back to Thursdays where Joel waltzes in and tries to sweep me off my feet. I’ll have been swept and he’ll move on to someone new.
And I still haven’t told him about Christian. I realize now I should have just told him the first time he strolled in and hit on me, but I’d wanted to stay in fantasy land. Now it’s all weird because I haven’t told him and how do you just blurt out, I have a kid, without sounding like a weirdo or like you’re asking for a blood signature relationship oath? It’s a tricky situation that I’ve mostly avoided in the past by not letting men in at all.
“How about Sunday afternoon?”
“That’s three days away.” He raps his knuckles on the counter as he thinks. "Sunday afternoon. I’ve got somewhere I need to be at noon. How’s ten?"
“Ten is good.” Or I hope it is. I need to check with Nadine and my mom and see if one of them can watch Christian for a few hours. They’re always insisting it’s no problem and itistechnically for school.
“Perfect.”
I grab a cup, mostly to have something to do with my hands. “The usual?”
“Ya know what? I think I’m good.” He smiles and steps back. “I finally got what I’ve really been coming in here for all these months… a date.”
“Sunday isn’t a date, it’s a study session,” I call after him.
He places both hands over his ears. “La, la, la, la.”
I shake my head slowly at his antics, but my heart beats faster.
* * *
“Grandma Nadine is going to be here in five minutes.”
Christian doesn’t move from his spot in the middle of the living room floor. He’s got an elaborate race track set up and pushes cars around in circles and up ramps. My son may be chill about the day, but I am not.
Books, check. Laptop, check. Notebook and pen, check and check. Satisfied that the third perusal of my backpack hasn’t changed the fact it’s ready to go, I step toward my bedroom so I can look at myself in the mirror again. I’ve not even made it over the threshold when the doorbell rings. Guess this is as good as I’m going to look.
I open the door as Christian stands and runs to greet Grandma Nadine.
Except…
“Victor, what are you doing here?” The edge in my voice is uncalled for and I try and recover. “Sorry. I thought Nadine was coming.”
“Daddy,” Christian says and throws himself at Victor’s legs.
Victor gives him a pat on the head and walks in. “I drove back yesterday, so she sent me. Thought I could take Christian for pancakes – heard it’s a Sunday tradition.”
Christian squeals with excitement.
“Christian, can you go put your toys in your room while I talk to Mommy?”
